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Did Joseph Smith Endorse The Danites?


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Posted

This is from the Joseph Smith Papers.

Thus far, according to the ord[e]r of the Dan-Ites, we have a company of Danites in these  times, to put to rights physically that  which is not righ[t], and to clense the Church  of verry great evils which hath hitherto exi sted among us, inasmuch as they cannot be put  to rights by teachings & persuaysons, This company or a part of them exibited on  the fourth day of July. They come up to consecrate by companies of  tens, commanded by their Captain over ten.

 

 

Posted

I think he did originally but then later thought they were hooligans, I would check out his book on Missouri Problems....Prof. at BYU...setus lupetus.... can't recall his name now...okay Alex Baugh, he deals with this question, I could check out his sources but that sounds like effort

Posted

Like so many other things, I think Joseph had Danite principles followed at times when necessary (Porter Rockwell), and then wicked men (Samson Avard) took them for their own purposes.

Posted (edited)

I think he did originally but then later thought they were hooligans, I would check out his book on Missouri Problems....Prof. at BYU...setus lupetus.... can't recall his name now...okay Alex Baugh, he deals with this question, I could check out his sources but that sounds like effort

Alex is a friend of mine. I sat next to him on Friday as we attended the luncheon of the BYU Religious Education Student Symposium.

And yes, Alex is an expert on the Missouri period of Church history. I doubt anyone could answer this question more intelligently than he.

But the link in one of the above posts provides good information and summary.

Edited to add:

Alex's book is Call to Arms: The 1838 Mormon Defense of Northern Missouri

Edited by Scott Lloyd
Posted

Unlike EVs, I am (somewhat) comfortable with the idea of a "Mormon Inquisition."  But, and I'm sorry to say, Danites is such a wimpy term... us Catholics got to call it "the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition."  Now, doesn't that sound like a group that means business? ;)

 

We're not comfortable with any form of Mormon Inquisition, and are definitely against the actions of the Danites after their going rogue.

 

Personally I see the establishment of that office along with the actions of people like Torquemada as a sad time for the Catholics.

Posted

Unlike EVs, I am (somewhat) comfortable with the idea of a "Mormon Inquisition."  But, and I'm sorry to say, Danites is such a wimpy term... us Catholics got to call it "the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition."  Now, doesn't that sound like a group that means business? ;)

Now that sounds like a group not to be trifled with..."Danites" sounds so... flash in the pan-ish.
Posted

Unlike EVs, I am (somewhat) comfortable with the idea of a "Mormon Inquisition."  But, and I'm sorry to say, Danites is such a wimpy term... us Catholics got to call it "the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition."  Now, doesn't that sound like a group that means business? ;)

 

I can almost hear "Put them in the Iron Maiden".

Posted

One of my ancestors, John Lowe Butler, was an "ordained" Danite. According to his diary, the Danites had only one function in which he participated, and that is to protect Mormon voters on election day.

Posted

One of my ancestors, John Lowe Butler, was an "ordained" Danite. According to his diary, the Danites had only one function in which he participated, and that is to protect Mormon voters on election day.

You are related to my husband.  We have Butler's bio on the shelf. 

Posted (edited)

Butler was a famous guy in church history. He led the Gallatin defense in the anti-Mormon riots at the Gallatin, Mo,courthouse on election day, wielding a club. Unfortunately, this sparked the anti-Mormon persecutions in Missouri.

I went by the courthouse in Gallatin to see if the event was memorialized. It wasn't. Instead, there is a plaque which says that the Gallatin courthouse is the site of the Frank James trial. The courthouse is still standing.

I personally think there is very little to the Danite story other than this. Maybe others continued on and thought they were "Danites," but not Butler. I had two other ancestors who were bodyguards to the prophet and they don't mention Danites.

Edited by Bob Crockett
Posted

Hi cousins!!!  See post above. The quote function didn't take....

As far as I can tell (couldn't access without registering) he had about 30 kids so a lot of potential there for relatives.
Posted (edited)

Like so many other things, I think Joseph had Danite principles followed at times when necessary (Porter Rockwell), and then wicked men (Samson Avard) took them for their own purposes.

 

A similar claim can be made for plural marriage/sealing, but that's another story!

Edited by Alan
Posted

Now that sounds like a group not to be trifled with..."Danites" sounds so... flash in the pan-ish.

I think you mean "flash-in-the-panites."

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